NASH Cup 2016 – Day 2 Recap
NASH CUP Tuesday 20th September
London Squash & Fitness Club, London, Ontario, Canada
Men’s Final Qualifying & Women’s 1st Round Main Draw
It’s been a tremendous evening. Big crowds and some amazing squash. We’ve had some guest writers contribute below resulting in varying reporting styles. Below is a quick summary. Photos have been posted to www.nashcup.com
4pm 1 Christine Nunn [1] (AUS; 37) beat Reyna Pacheco (USA; 83)
11-4,11-2,11-3 (20mins)
4pm 2 Ashley Davies [5] (ENG; 129) beat Christophe Andre [1] (FRA; 104)
6-11,8-11,11-8,11-9,11-7(74mins)
5pm 1 Nikki Todd [5] (CAN; 55) beat Melina Turk (CAN; 88)
11-5,11-7,11-2(21mins)
5pm 2 Maria Toorpakai Wazir (PAK; 61) beat Anna Kimberley (ENG; 133)
4-11,11-4,11-5,14-12(54mins)
6pm 1 Anthony Graham (ENG;159) beat. Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR;117)
12-10,11-2,11-3(30mins)
6pm 2 Misaki Kobayashi [3] (JAP; 48) beat Enora Villard (FRA; 91)
11-5,11-4,11-2(24mins)
7pm 1 Douglas Kempsell (SCO;114) beat Cameron Stafford [7] (CAY;148)
11-9,11-8,11-3(28mins)
7pm 2 Samantha Cornett [4] (CAN; 48) beat Nicole Bunyan (CAN; 132)
11-5,11-9,8-11,11-6(35mins)
8pm 1 Alison Thomson [8] (ENG; 82) beat Nicole Garon (CAN; local)
11-6,11-3,11-7(24mins)
8pm 2 Danielle Letourneau [7] (CAN; 67) beat Micaala Seth (CAN; 198)
9-11,11-9,11-6,11-6(40mins)
9pm 1 Hollie Naughton [2] (CAN; 45) beat Colette Sultana (MLT; 129)
11-4,11-1,11-1(17mins)
9pm 2 Michael McCue (CAN;110) beat David Baillargeon (CAN;134)
11-7,11-4,11-4(36mins)
It’s Tuesday afternoon and London Squash & Fitness Club is packed. The players are telling me that they love the Nash Cup, It’s talked about amongst the players. One quote was “I can’t believe it was packed on a Monday in first round qualifying!!” That says it all. The club is really jumping and already totally into the NASHCUP week. And Delierre has arrived, so it’ll only going to get more interesting! – Jay Francis – Club Professional
4pm Christine Nunn vs Reyna Pacheco.
Nunn wins 11-4,11-2,11-3(20mins)
-Reporting Jay Francis
The number 1 seed looked very comfortable, getting used to the courts and wasting no energy at all. She’ll be glad of that for the rest of the tournament. It must be noted she jumped on the hardball double court afterwards and discovered that it’s a VERY different game. I hope she judges the bounce better tomorrow!!
Christine’s comment: “played well and that doubles is different isn’t it! But a lot of fun!”
4pm Christophe Andre vs Ashley Davies
Davies wins 6-11,8-11,11-8,11-9,11-7(74mins)
Truly a match of 2 halves. For 2,5 games there was only one winner. Christophe was in control, playing great and stroking the ball with authority. He moved clean and looking relaxed. Then a couple of bad shots, and Ashley taking the game to him by the throat turns it around. These guys played long consistent shots down the walls and across the court looking for the right opportunity to attack. By halfway through the 5th game there was again only 1 winner, but now it was Ashley closing it out. A great comeback for Ashley, and Christophe will be wondering how he lost that one! This was the first real upset of the tournament removing the qualification round’s number 1 seed.
5pm Melina Turk vs Nikki Todd
Todd wins 11-5,11-7,11-2(21mins)
Nikki looked sharp, focused, very fit and, while behind the odd time, was never in any serious trouble. A very professional performance and a perfect 1st round. The crowd favourite at the NASH Cup will be looking to be fresh tomorrow.
5pm Maria Toorpakai Wazir vs Anna Kimberley
Maria wins 4-11,11-4,11-5,14-12(54mins)
A slightly scrappy match, with lots of decisions from the ref’s. It was certainly exciting attacking squash. Maria was slightly under the weather and was glad to finish the match in the 4th. She struggled early on in the match and Anna took full advantage. Great effort from Anna overall, probably disappointed not to take it into the 5th. Maria admitted to feeling a bit sluggish and a bit poorly, she’s hoping to feel better tomorrow.
6pm Anthony Graham vs Daniel Poleshchuk
Graham wins 12-10,11-2,11-3(30mins)
A close first game promised much for the match, but Daniel wasn’t happy with the resulting 2 games which were surprisingly one-sided. Great for Anthony who is looking sharp.
6pm Enora Villard vs Misaki Kobayashi
Kobayashi wins 11-5,11-4,11-2(24mins)
Enora and Misaki faced of for the first time in the PSA. Misaki uses change of direction well – in control in the first game with pace.
She remains in control of second game -plays the ball just a bit tighter, a bit longer. Enora moving well getting to some very good shots, but under pressure all the time. Great overhead shots from Misaki. She’s just a bit too strong and more disciplined and takes the match in three.
7pm Douglas Kempsell vs Cameron Stafford
Kempsell wins 11-9,11-8,11-3(28mins)
Both players came out strong in the first, hitting with accuracy and strength. Game 1 went to the up and coming Scottish player, but not without a strong battle from the Cayman Islands Stafford. Game 2 saw Kempsell jump to a quick 6-1 lead with tight rallies and strong movement. Cameron fought back and won the crowd over with a deadly corkscrew serve, but ultimately fell 11-8 in the 2nd. Game 3 started off even at 3’s, with Douglas adding to his count after a few tins from Stafford and some quality deception. Kempsell sealed the match with an 11-3 victory in the 3rd.
7pm Samantha Cornett vs Nicole Bunyan
Cornett wins 11-5,11-9,8-11,11-6(
The Canadians started slowly, gauging each other’s games and trading points. Cornett started to establish here game late in the game to win the first. Cornett seemed to really get a sense of the court in game 2. She worked Bunyan very hard with some quality lobs and hard crosses to win game 2. Bunyan came out with a vengeance in game 3, winning the first 7 points with attacking squash. Cornett rallied to bring the score to 9-6 before losing the game on an unbelievable backhand volley nick from Bunyan. Cornett came back very strong in game 4, picking up the pace and showing some of the talent that comes from being a National Champion. She worked Bunyan very hard around the court forcing mistakes and won the final game.
Nicole was happy with her game, just disappointed losing a large lead in the 4th. Sam happy to be back playing tournaments again. She’s hoping the body responds well tomorrow.
8pm Alison Thomson vs Nicole Garon
Thomson wins 11-6,11-3,11-7(24mins)
Comfortable win for Alison, Never really in any trouble. She was pleased with her performance and wanting to build on the momentum tomorrow.
8pm Danielle Letourneau vs Micaala Seth
Letourneau wins 9-11,11-9,11-6,11-6(40mins)
This was a fun game to watch and was by no means easy for Danielle. She was in danger of going 0-2 down in games to a good playing Micaala (who is a bit of a local favourite), but Danielle snatched the 2nd game and this was crucial. The momentum changed, and part-time Micaala couldn’t quite keep up the pace to push Danielle. Danielle was pretty relieved to be through, changed her tactics as her normal strong front court game and movement “felt strange” tonight. She’ll have to step up for tomorrow.
9pm Hollie Naughton vs Colette Sultana
Naughton wins 11-4,11-1,11-1(17mins)
Hollie came out very strong in this match showing that she is peak form. No stress, no pressure. Hollie was really happy with the performance and is certainly here to do well.
9pm David Baillargeon vs Michael McCue
McCue wins 11-7,11-4,11-4(36mins)
This was a strange match. It was potentially THE match of the night; but it never really ignited! The rallies were extended, but Michael seemed to have the upper hand most of the time. This theme carried on through all 3 games. Michael was very steady and waiting for his openings. David is back after a small injury, and there’s maybe a little fear in his movement to the front; as he was a little sluggish to the front. Michael will be extremely pleased to hit the main round with a 3-0 win.
Wednesday Matches start at 4pm
4pm 1 Diego Elias [1] (PER;34) vs. Michael McCue (CAN;110)
4pm 2 Cameron Seth (WC; CAN; 348) vs. Andrew Schnell [7] (CAN; 62)
5pm 1 Henrik Mustonen [6] (FIN; 60) vs. Ashley Davies [5] (ENG; 129)
5pm 2 Olli Tuominen [4] (FIN; 47) vs. Anthony Graham (ENG;159)
6pm 1 Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi [3] (QAT; 46) vs. Douglas Kempsell (SCO;114)
6pm 2 Christine Nunn [1] (AUS; 37) vs. Nikki Todd [5] (CAN; 55)
7pm 1 Shawn Delierre (CAN; 70) vs. Ben Coleman [5] (ENG; 53)
7pm 2 Maria Toorpakai Wazir (PAK; 61) vs. Misaki Kobayashi [3] (JAP; 48)
8pm 1 Jens Schoor [8] (GER; 63) vs. Jan Van Den Herrewegen (BEL; 100)
8pm 2 Samantha Cornett [4] (CAN; 48) vs. Alison Thomson [8] (ENG; 82)
9pm 1 Jaymie Haycocks (ENG; 88) vs. Declan James [2] (ENG; 39)
9pm 2 Danielle Letourneau [7] (CAN; 67) vs. Hollie Naughton [2] (CAN; 45)